Chionodox

Chionodoxa is a short perennial plant belonging to the Scylla genus of the Liliaceae family, which in turn are subdivided into six varieties. The main place of accumulation of chionodox is located in the countries of Asia Minor. Translated from Greek, the word is formed from two roots: "snow" and "pride". The popular definition is more laconic - "snow beauty" or "snowman".

This primrose peeps out from under the snow cap in early spring and opens its buds at the same time as the snowdrops. Many gardeners grow Chionodox on their own backyard. Such a wonderful plant will be an excellent decoration for any flower bed and will look great next to other garden dwellers.

Chionodox flower description

Shoots originate from bulbs. Peduncles appear along with a pair of deep green root leaf blades. The length of the leaves ranges from 8 to 12 cm. The inflorescences are loose, falling in clusters consisting of bells interconnected. Each flower has six white or pink petals. The plant bears fruit with a seed box with black achenes. The diameter of the oblong oval bulbs does not exceed 1.7 cm. They are covered with a layer of scales and can fully produce healthy peduncles for two years.

Planting chionodox in the open field

Chionodox planting time

Autumn is considered the optimal time for planting chionodox, so that the bulbs have time to overgrow with root rollers. The site for the future cultivation of chionodox should be well lit or in light partial shade. Flowering will begin much earlier if the bulbs are planted in a place where the spring snow melts faster. In areas hidden in the shade, the budding process is observed with a delay, but it lasts much longer. The location of the flower bed is chosen under trees and tall bushes. When the chionodox bloom, the foliage is just awakening, so the light from the sun's rays freely enters the planting of the "snow beauty", which favorably affects its growth and development.

It is preferable to plant perennial chionodox in the vicinity of primroses, hellebores, hyacinths, crocuses, Pushkinia or irises.

Chionodox planting rules

A fertile soil with a neutral environment with good drainage properties is selected as a substrate. Chionodoxes respond gratefully to feeding with forest turf, mixed with rotted leaves and small pieces of tree bark. Then mastering the garden is quick and painless.

The sequence and scheme of planting chionodoxa is no different from planting other bulbous plants. Planting depth is determined by the size of the bulb. The larger the diameter, the deeper you need to dig the hole.The largest bulbs are immersed in the soil by 8 cm, keeping the interval between individual specimens from 8 to 10 cm. It is enough to deepen small perennial bulbs by 4 cm, and make the distance to the next hole a little less.

Caring for chionodox in the garden

Caring for a chionodox is quite simple and not difficult even for an amateur. Chionodoxa flowers are one of the few primroses that adapt easily in a new place and do not impose too many demands on their care. The only thing that is recommended to be observed is the watering regime. Plantings are acutely aware of the lack of moisture when there is little natural rainfall during the winter and spring months. The well-moistened soil is loosened so that the roots are saturated with oxygen, and weeds are removed from the garden bed, oppressing young immature seedlings. The procedure can be postponed if you take care of mulching the flower bed with organic fertilizer or loose peat in advance.

The plant is periodically transplanted and fed, the processing of ground parts from insects and diseases is carried out on time. After ripening, the fruits crack and spontaneously pour out the seeds. Self-seeding can be avoided only if the testes on the bushes are cut off before they begin to ripen.

Top dressing and watering

Dry weather and sultry summer heat negatively affect the development of Chionodox. During this period, it is especially important to water the flower. Watering chionodox is best done in the morning or after sunset, directing the flow of water under the roots and trying to avoid droplets from falling on the leaves and flowers. Before watering the flowerbed, the water is defended.

Chionodoxes prefer granular universal mineral fertilizers like Nitroammofoska. Well-fed plantings will bloom for a long time and luxuriantly throughout the spring. The granules are evenly distributed under the bushes and sprinkled with a thin layer of earth, then the roots will better absorb all the nutrients.

Transplant and reproduction

For reproduction of a perennial, a vegetative method is used, when the mother's bulb is divided into small bulbs. During one season, as a rule, from 2 to 4 new bulbs are formed. Bushes without transplanting for ten years are able to bloom and decorate the garden, however, experienced flower growers advise in the fifth or sixth year of the plant's life to dig nests out of the ground and carry out division.

The plant bulbs are removed from the hole at the end of July. By this time, the stems and leaves will dry out, and the bushes will be dormant. Chionodoxa bulbs are planted in early autumn. The material is kept in a dry and cool place without access to light. To prevent the babies from dying during storage, they will be separated from the main bulb just before being sent to the open ground. The sequence of actions for organizing an autumn planting has already been described above.

Seed propagation of chionodoxa does not give the same results as vegetative propagation. If the testes are not cut off in time, the seeds will fall to the ground from the cracked fruits without outside interference. Juicy achenes attract ants. Insects will quickly spread the seeds around the site, which will soon be possible to see chionodoxes in the most unexpected corners of the garden.

Seed-planted Chionodox plants are expected to bloom two years later.

Shelter for the winter

When the peduncles wither, the arrows of the plant are removed, and the leaves must be left on the bushes until they wither completely, which occurs in mid-summer. Cold winters and frosts do not pose a serious threat to the flower. A flowerbed with chionodox, located in an open place unprotected from drafts, should be covered. The site is covered with spruce or heaps of dry leaves are poured on top.

Residents of the southern regions should not worry - the flower will survive the winter safely.

Chionodox diseases and pests

Many plants with a bulbous development system are susceptible to fungal diseases, for example, gray mold, fusarium, septoria and sclerotinia. Chionodoxes are no exception. Their bulbs, even deep underground, also become infected with fungal infections and spores. As a result, diseased shoots begin to turn yellow, the leaves dry out and fall off, which leads to the complete death of the bush. In order not to face such a problem in the future, the planting material is disinfected with a Fundazol solution. Observe a moderate watering regime. Otherwise, excess water will stagnate near the root nest, which will lead to rotting of the underground part.

A particular danger among pests for chionodox are the larvae of the root meadow mite, mice, which damage the peel and bulbous scales. Spraying shoots and leaves with drugs belonging to the class of acaricides: Aktara, Aktellik or Akarin is considered to be an effective means for combating ticks. Special baits with poison help to get rid of mice and moles.

Types and varieties of chionodox with a photo

In the botanical literature, there is a description of six species forms of chionodox, however, only a few varietal and hybrid names are suitable for cultural cultivation.

Chionodoxa forbesii

Or Chionodoxa Tmoluza grows in Turkish lands. The height of the shoots is about 25 cm. Peduncles are formed from interconnected white, less often pink flowers. Each peduncle contains 15 flowers. This species does not bear fruit, but the number of babies doubles in one season. They are engaged in cultivation in 1976. Scientists managed to derive no less attractive varieties from this species:

• variety Alba, covered with white clusters during flowering;
• Blue Giant has bright blue perianths;
• Pink Giant variety is distinguished by pink-purple racemose buds.

Chionodoxa luciliae

Or chionodox gigantic - the name is associated with the name Lucille Boissier. The areola of growth captures the mountainous regions of Asia Minor. The height of the bushes is an order of magnitude lower than that of the previous species representative. The leaf blades are rectilinear. The flowers are small, decorated with a bluish neck in the amount of 5-10 pcs. Cultural plantings of the described species became famous in 1764.

The most popular varieties of chionodoxia giant include:

• the variety is white, reaching a length of 10 cm, with tiny whitish buds in the clusters;
• the variety is pink with a characteristic color and barely noticeable purple notes;
• Rose Queen - the most recognizable of the other varieties of Chionodoxa Lucilia, has an abundant flowering with a delicate pink tint;
• giant white chionodox, in which the diameter of the flowers can reach up to 4 cm.

Chionodoxa sardinian (Chionodoxa sardensis)

Began to spread in Asia. The perennial contains linear leaves, strong peduncles, bearing tiny blue buds that form lush brushes. Gardeners started growing Chionodoxa Sardinian in 1885.

In addition to the above species and varieties, breeders are engaged in breeding Chionodoxa dwarf, Chionodoxa whitish and Mrs. Lock. These names laid the foundation for the creation of new cultural forms of perennial. Hybrids are gaining popularity: Watercolor, Artemis, Absolute, Atlantis, Arctic. By crossing Chionodox Forbes and Scylla two-leaved, scientists bred unique plant cultures of Chionoscilla with shoots up to 10 cm long. The flowers resemble bright blue stars in their shape, from which dense inflorescences are obtained.